Law firm bookkeeper pleads guilty to theft

A legal assistant who stole thousands from a judge’s account has now admitted stealing even more from the Abingdon law firm where she worked.

Anna Howell, 43, pleaded guilty today to money laundering and mail fraud in the theft of at least $31,000 from the firm of Jessee & Read. There was no plea deal, according to the Bristol Herald-Courier.

Howell pleaded guilty two years ago – to the day – to stealing more than $16,000 from the accounts of Washington County Circuit Judge Randall Lowe. Howell had worked as a legal assistant to Lowe.

When charged with that crime, Howell was represented by the firm of Jessee & Read, which later added her to its staff. She admitted today she took checks from the firm and used them to pay her own expenses.